Chapter 81: A father's lies

"My father was a terrible man, but there's no way he committed the treason you accused him of," Anaisa knew that it was possibly only seconds before the guards were ordered to come drag her away and throw her into the dungeon to await the executioner, so she saw no harm in airing all her grievances now.

At least no one here knew she was Trace's wife. Her death would free him to marry someone better. He deserved much more than her wretched reputation would bring him. A nice farm girl who could live the simple life he really wanted.

Tears of rage filled Anaisa's eyes and she swiped them away.

"My father's horrible cousin, Barnabas, who took his place, must have framed him. I know it in my soul!" She cried. "You surround yourself with snakes and expect to run a country well, but there's nothing but war and mistreatment. Death and depravity for young women with nowhere else to go. Servanthood or the brothel were just about the only choices open for me!"